Tigers' Adam Wilk on first at-bat in majors: 'I just should have swung at the first pitch'

DENVER -- As a relief pitcher, Adam Wilk did not take any batting practice in preparation for six consecutive games in National League parks. So he was a bit surprised to find himself headed to the plate Friday night during his four-inning appearance in relief of Rick Porcello.

Except for one at-bat in spring training, where he wasn't permitted to swing, it had been six years since Wilk batted. He struck out swinging at a 1-2 fastball, but Wilk's biggest regret about the at-bat was that he was too patient.

“I just should have swung at the first pitch,” he said. “That was probably the best one for me to hit. But I was like, 'I haven't seen a pitch in six years. I might want to take one.' ”

Wilk said he barely got a helmet in time to head to the plate and used one of Ramon Santiago's bats.